Xbox backs DJR Team Penske for Enduro Cup

By
Stefan Bartholomaeus

Monday 24th August, 2015 - 8:02am

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Marcos Ambrose and Scott Pye will carry Xbox colours in the three-event Pirtek Enduro Cup, DJR Team Penske has revealed.

The deal has been announced this morning ahead of a ride day at Sydney Motorsport Park, where Ambrose will take to the wheel of the FG X that the team will campaign at Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast.

Xbox first featured as a primary sponsor of the team for Ambrose’s V8 Supercars return last year at Sydney Olympic Park, before also linking with the squad for this year’s pre-season test.

The Microsoft brand has also confirmed a tie-up with V8 Supercars that will see two cars from each of the category’s five manufacturers represented in the upcoming Forza 6 game.

Like its predecessor, Forza 6 will feature the Mount Panorama Circuit, with a voiceover of the track’s history provided by long-time Xbox ambassador Mark Skaife.

Jeremy Hinton, Head of Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft in Australia, says that connecting the Xbox brand with Skaife and Ambrose is important for its marketing plans.

“Xbox has always been the home of racing and this partnership further reinforces our commitment to the sport in Australia,” he said.

“We couldn’t be more excited about having legends such as Mark Skaife in game and Marcos Ambrose in the driver’s seat of our car, leaving no doubt that Xbox is the only place for racing in 2015.”

Ambrose, who was fifth fastest in co-driver practice at SMP, told Speedcafe.com that he’s confident of a strong showing for the team in the Enduro Cup.

“We’ll be going to Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast to try and win them,” he said on Thursday.

“You have to go to every race track with the intention of winning otherwise you shouldn’t be turning up.

“I think the timing of the endurance races is good for us and that the longer races will play in our favour.

“We’ve got a pretty good driver line-up, if I do say so myself, and we’ve got a pretty good handle on where we’re going as a team.

“I think come September we’re going to have a really good handle on the cars and we’re going to run really well.”